Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Under the watchful eyes of everyone. Thaddeus led Acacia Into the CEO’s office.
As soon as the door was closed, Acacia threw herself into his arms in tears. “Thaddeus, I’m glad you came to pick me up, I was
really scared...” Thaddeus, with his deep, ink-like gaze, raised his hands to Acacia’s shoulders and slowly pushed her away.
“Thaddeus...” Acacia was puzzled.
“Why’d you do this?” Thaddeus’ tone was frosty, his gaze piercing.
“Do what?”
“Why’d you go spilling our marriage news to the Elmsworth Dally?” Thaddeus asked.
Acacia breathed a sigh of relief and tried to embrace him again, “Because I can’t wait to marry you. Don’t you want to marry
me?”
“I’d like to, but it’s not appropriate.” Thaddeus looked serious, and his usual gentleness was gone. “Why not? You’re already
divorced from
Ilana!”
“My divorce hasn’t been finalized yet. We’ve promised grandpa to wait until his 80th birthday to get a formal divorce.”
Thaddeus subconsciously stepped back, “Until then, she’s still my wife, in name at least. You airing our marriage news would stir
up trouble for everyone. Grandpa won’t be pleased.”
His thinking was straightforward, always considering the pros and cons first. He had always been lacking in emotions, the only
bit of tenderness he had was for Acacia. Yet his words were still somewhat harsh.
But, he thought Acacia would understand him. After all, they had known each other for quite a while.
However, the woman did not understand his point at all, her eyes turned red, “Am I causing trouble for everyone? Thaddeus, are
you upset because people online are saying Ilana was the other woman? Are you feeling sorry for her?!”
“I’m not feeling sorry. It’s just that Ilana wasn’t the other woman. Things shouldn’t have escalated to this point.” Thaddeus rubbed
his temples, his headache was killing him.
“Isn’t she the homewrecker? She is!” Acacia stomped her foot in anger, her voice sharp and piercing, making Thaddeus’
headache even
worse.
“Had it not been for her, we would’ve been together a long time ago! She’s been meddling in our affairs! She’s been hogging my
spot by your side for three whole years!” Acacia continued.
“Ilana was my wife in name for three years, and that’s what it took to get grandpa to back down. Without her, you and I wouldn’t
ever be together.”
Thaddeus finished speaking, his heart gave a painful throb.
That’s right. If Ilana hadn’t left him after the three years were up, how could grandpa have allowed him to be with Acacia?
That woman, she always welcomed him home with a smile, helping him change, preparing his bath, taking care of everything
without a word of complaint.
She never fought for anything, never made a fuss, not even a word of complaint when she signed the divorce papers and left his
home.
Even though Ilana eventually chose Cas sius, she had fulfilled her duties as a wife in the past three years. It was him who
treated her like a maid, always looking forward to the end of the three years so he could be with the one he loved.
If anyone owed anyone, he definitely owed her more.
“Thaddeus, are you... speaking up for that woman now?” Acacia was shocked. She felt like she couldn’t understand this man
anymore.
“No, I’m just discussing the issue at hand.”
Just then, his phone rang. Thaddeus pulled out his phone and saw that it was a call from grandpa. His face turned grim.
He opened the door and Gordon was standing outside.
“Gordon, send more people to escort Ms. Acacia home.”
“Yes, Mr. Thaddeus.” Gordon gestured for Acacia to go ahead.
“Thaddeus! I don’t want to go back... I’m scared!” Acacia’s eyes filled with tears as she clung to his hand.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t accept any media interviews for the next few days. I’ll handle the rest.”
Thaddeus firmly sent Acacia out and shut the door. He then picked up his grandpa’s call, rubbing his throbbing temples.
“Grandpa.”
“Thaddeus! You dare to betray our agreement! Are you that desperate to marry that woman?!”
Hamiltion roared in anger, “If you want to marry a woman from the Stirling family, I, Hamiltion, disown you as my unfilial
grandson!”
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11.30
“Grandpa, the news was released by the media, not me.”
“I think it was that woman from the Stirling family who released it! She got anxious since you didn’t propose to her so she did
this!”
“It wasn’t Acacia, you’ve misunderstood her.”
Thaddeus’ headache worsened. He loosened his tie and slowly sank into the couch.
He felt incredibly guilty for lying to his beloved grandpa who loved him the most, but he had no other choice right now.
“I won’t allow you to marry Acacia! I want you to get back together with Ilana!” Hamiltion yelled, not in the mood for further
discussion.
“Grandpa, this was your promise to me. After three years, you wouldn’t force me anymore. You’d respect my choice.” Thaddeus
broke out in a cold sweat, his breathing unstable, “Ilana and I... it’s impossible for us. My future wife, can only be Acacia.”
“Fine...fine! You blind fool, I’m going to wait and watch the day you lose Ilana and regret crying over it!”
With that, Hamiltion hung up the phone in a huff. Thaddeus took a deep breath and walked over to his desk, hastily taking some
painkillers.
Gordon returned after escorting Acacia and happened to see this. He quickly went over to support him.
“Mr. Thaddeus, are you alright? Is your headache acting up again?”
“I’m fine.” Thaddeus slowly sat down, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples.
“Always popping painkillers ain’t a solution, dude. Remember how much Ilana’s ma**ages helped with your headaches these
past three years? Why are they acting up again?” Gordon sighed with concern. “Wish Ilana was here, you always sleep like a
baby after her ma**ages...” “Let’s not talk about her.” Thaddeus inhaled deeply, feeling downcast.
“Mr. Thaddeus, about the thing you asked me to look into... I’ve got some news.” Gordon hesitated, his eyes flickering.
“Spill it.”
“The two accounts that posted negative news about Ilana, the ones feeding them information... it was Ms. Acacia.”
Thaddeus jerked his head up, his heart pounding, “Are you sure? How is that possible?!”
“Confirmed, confirmed clearly, reconfirmed.” Gordon spoke softly, a note of worry in his voice, “I mean, don’t you think it’s too
coincidental? As soon as your engagement news was announced, negative news about Ilana started pouring in. Clearly, it was
all set up in advance.”
Thaddeus froze for a moment, and then collapsed feebly. “Why would Acacia do something like this...”
He knew Acacia loved him, cared for him, and he knew she was unhappy with Ilana, but this wasn’t the right way to vent.
“Handle it. Whatever it takes, I want that negative news wiped off the internet by sunset!”
When Acacia got home, her parents and Ives Stirling were there, all thrilled to see her!
“Acacia! Your move was effective!”
Ives couldn’t stop grinning, “The moment you announced your engagement to Mr. Thaddeus, our problems at the Stirling group
were solved! Now we’ve got hotels lining up to place orders. We’re about to make a fortune!”
“Good girl! You really are the hero of our house this time!” Mr. Stirling also praised.
After the Ashbourne group’s hotels suddenly returned all the Vintage Elegance bedding from the Stirling group, canceling their
contract forever, the industry started doubting the Stirling group. Many hotels that had placed orders withdrew them, causing
heavy losses.
That’s why Acacia thought of announcing her engagement, to save her family’s business.
Indeed, the effect was obvious. Riding on the Abernathy group’s coattails meant money was rolling in!
But Acacia wasn’t feeling happy about it, with a grim look on her face, “Sure, the business is saved, but do you know what it cost
me? Thaddeus and I had a fight today, and Hamilton... I bet he’ll hate me even more!”
“What’s there to be afraid of? Hamilton is an old man, how much longer can he live? Just wait him out!”
Ives snickered, “Once the old man kicks the bucket, your aunt controls Frederic, you become Thaddeus’ woman, and we’ll have
the Abernathy family in our pocket!”
“Exactly, Acacia.”
Mrs. Stirling came over and stroked Acacia’s hair, her eyes filled with greed, “As long as Thaddeus loves you, Hamilton can’t
stop you from marrying into wealth. Your aunt is the perfect example.”
Hearing this, Acacia felt comforted and nodded confidently.
This time, she was determined to marry into the Abernathy family and become the envied Mrs. CEO!